Jenkins challenges Eagles to soar

Malcolm Jenkins has challenged the Philadelphia Eagles to 'really evaluate themselves' following the 27-16 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The Eagles are 3-4 on the season following the defeat and Jenkins, who has not excluded himself from criticism despite a stunning interception on a Cam Newton pass on Sunday, says they alone have the power to change their season.

“I think we’re a confident team and I think we have what we need in the building to get it right,” the 27-year-old safety said.

“But we’re not just going to show up and start winning games. There’s things that we need to correct and things that we need to get better at in order for us to be a good team.

“We have all the confidence in the world in the guys we have. You see it during the games. For whatever reason, we shoot ourselves in the foot or we give up plays here or there that we need to make. We need to take a hard look at ourselves, from a coaching staff standpoint and from a players' standpoint.

“Everybody’s got to be critical of themselves and figure out where we need to get better.”

The defeat to Carolina came as the Eagles prepared for the bye week. They are not scheduled to play again until they face the Dallas Cowboys on November 9, and Jenkins believes it offers a good opportunity for reflection.

“Hopefully it lights a fire under some people,” he added.

“Hopefully, guys take this opportunity, this time off, to get healthy and really to evaluate themselves.

“We’re at the halfway point of our season and everything is in our control. We’re sitting in a decent spot, but there are things we need to get better at.

“You look at it throughout the game, there’s always a play here or a play there or a mental error.

“We need guys to be able to lock in for an entire game and make the plays that they’re supposed to make for the team. Not for themselves or whatever. The team needs guys to make these plays.

“I’m included in that. Nobody’s above that. Over the next couple weeks, guys need to take a really hard look at what they bring to the table.”